Pantyhose

ABSTRACT

Method of making a panty hose by circular knitting in which courses of stitches ( 3 ) of wrapped elastic yarn and preferably courses ( 4 ) of stitches of polyamide and/or natural fiber yarn are knitted over the height of the panty hose ( 1 ), whereby for attaining a holding function a greater number of, or tighter, elastic stitches are knitted, or thicker elastic yarn than in the leg portion is used, at least in portions of the girdle portion ( 2 ) formed without a holding band, or that for attaining the holding function courses ( 3 ) of elastic stitches of lesser height and/or of thicker yarn are knitted than polyamide stitch courses ( 4 ) provided in the girdle portion ( 2 ) and preferably alternatingly knitted with courses of elastic yarn.

[0001] The invention relates to a method of making a panty hose by a circular knitting process in which courses of stitches of a wrapped elastic yarn and preferably courses of stitches of a polyamide and/or natural fiber yarn are knitted over the height of the panty hose.

[0002] Customarily, panty hoses are provided with a waist band or a knitted double margin for securing the panty hose at the waist. The manufacture as well as the application of the waist band and the knitting of the double margin constitute complex operations. Moreover, waist band and double margin often are uncomfortable for a wearer. Panty hoses in accordance with the prior art have been published, for instance, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,651,670 and 3,933,013.

[0003] The invention aims at providing a method of making a panty hose which insures a flawless fit without waist band or double margin. The method in accordance with the invention is characterized by the use of a greater number of, or tighter, elastic stitches and/or thicker elastic yarn in at least parts of the girdle portion formed without waist band than in the leg portion, or by stitches of reduced height and/or thicker yarn in at least parts of the girdle portion formed without waist band than the knitted polyamide stitch courses provided in the girdle portion and preferably alternating with the elastic stitch courses.

[0004] Preferably, additional elastic yarn is knitted into the girdle portion. In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, elastic stitch courses made of wrapped elastic yarn but only partially knitted are provided in the girdle portion. The measures or combination of measures mentioned infra result in a perfect fit of the panty hose without the necessity of a separate holding band such as a waist band. The principle of the invention is equally applicable to circularly knitted slips and other such garments held in position at the lower torso.

[0005] The invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings in which FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a panty hose and FIG. 2 is a view in detail of two knitting patterns.

[0006] In the panty hose 1 shown in the drawings the holding function has been moved to the girdle portion 2, i.e. no waist band or the like have been provided. This is accomplished, for instance, by knitting alternating stitch courses 3 of a wrapped elastic yarn and stitch courses 4 of polyamide and/or natural fiber yarn. The elastic stitch courses 3 are knitted at a lower height or more tightly than the courses of polyamide stitches 4. Alternatively or in addition, the courses of elastic stitches may be knitted of thicker elastic yarn than the polyamide stitch courses provided in the girdle portion 2.

[0007] However, it is also possible to provide only elastic stitch courses in the girdle portion and to knit at least in parts of the girdle portion a greater number of, or thicker, courses of elastic stitches, or to use thicker elastic yarn than in the leg portion 5. In addition, it is within the ambit of the invention to knit additional elastic yarn into any version of the girdle portion.

[0008] In contrast to a conventionally knitted panty hose provided with a waist band, the basic material quantity ratio of elastic yarn to polyamide basic has been changed, for instance, from about 40:60% to about 30:70% to ensure the flawless fit of the panty hose in its girdle portion 2.

[0009] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a strip made of wrapped elastic yarn is knitted into the front portion below the margin of the panty. This may be done, for instance, by significantly increasing, e.g. 30-50%, the number of elastic yarn stitch courses and by knitting courses of reduced height.

[0010] In accordance with the invention, stitch courses made of wrapped elastic yarn may be provided and only partially knitted into predetermined positions of the girdle portion in order by this change in binding additionally to affect the holding function of the girdle portion. 

1. Method of making a panty hose by circular knitting in which courses of stitches of wrapped elastic yarn and preferably courses of stitches of polyamide and/or natural fiber yarn are knitted over the height of the panty hose, characterized by the fact that for attaining a holding function a greater number of, or tighter, elastic stitches are knitted, or thicker elastic yarn than in the leg portion is used, at least in portions of the girdle portion (2) formed without a holding band, or that for attaining the holding function courses (3) of elastic stitches of lesser height and/or of thicker yarn are knitted than polyamide stitch courses (4) provided in the girdle portion (2) and preferably alternatingly knitted with courses of elastic yarn.
 2. Method of claim 1, characterized by the fact that additional elastic yarn is knitted into the girdle portion (2).
 3. Method of claim 1, characterized by the fact in the girdle portion (2) courses (3) of elastic stitches of wrapped elastic yarn are provided which are only partially knitted into the girdle portion. 